Pisaasu (or) Pissasu Movie Review (Tamil, 2014)

A violinist witnesses a hit-and-run accident and tries to help the victim (a girl) from fatality in vain as the dead girl breathes her last holding his hand. He is unable to erase the memory and soon understands that the ghost of the dead girl has decided to stay in his house. Attempts to exorcise it fail & when his mother meets with an incident, he goes aggressive and goes behind the dead girl’s father asking him to burn her remains. He convinces the father but even the father is unable to convince the ghost! The ‘Why?’ is answered in the climax!

What’s Hot

Mysskin is known for his gripping narratives and unique style. He brings that to fore in Pisaasu too – The motifs are given the typical styling, there are the touching metaphors (leaking bucket in the end is a glorious example) & symbolisms but the biggest win for him in the film is the view point from which he has depicted the Ghost and how he succeeds in it! The way the writing complements that thought helps Pisaasu join the list of films that go beyond conventional realms and succeed in convincing the viewer.

The screenplay depicts the power of classic old-school writing which gives the viewer a feeling akin to what he/she would feel while unwrapping a surprise gift! The final wrap is a gem. The twist may not blow you with its unpredictability but will blow you when you think philosophically.

There are limited characters in the film (A huge relief in these days of cast-bombing!) led by commendable showings from Naga who plays the sufferer & Radha Ravi who, in a short yet milestone role, plays the dead girl’s father! The others (The girl played by Prayaga Martin, the friends, the apartment neighbours and the mother) pull off their roles effortlessly.

Music by debutante Arul (aka) Arrol Corelli is mesmerizing with the violin showing its prowess & Ravi Roy’s cinematography takes us through the proceedings just like you would expect and love to be taken through a Mysskin film. It is to be noted that there are more ant’s eye view shots this time in place of the regular ground shots.

VFX has limited scope & has been done pretty neat. So are the stunts in the film. Gopinath’s editing works in upping some humour & Jayashree’s art pays good attention to detail (We, aptly, get to see frames of Ludwig Beethoven & Wolfgang Mozart in the drawing room of the Violonist)

What’s Not

While it is good for the director to have a bearing on the crew of the film, the lead actors deserve to be given some autonomy. Naga exudes fine style and confidence but when he acts, he goes hidden and you get to see the typical Mysskin hero who reacts in a theatrical funny way.

Badges

Verdict

Pisaasu is neither the typical horror film that gives you some cheap thrills nor is it a classic horror film that gives your spine a few chills, but it is a heart-warming, emotional take on Ghosts that takes its time & packs a punch with its masterful writing that unravels to a wonderful finish.